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Chapter9
They gazed into one another’s eyes, and she could almost see his thoughts as he looked down at her.For just this moment, she allowed herself to believe this was real.She wasn’t given to flights of fancy.She knew a man like Viscount Ashford could have any woman he wanted, so why would he choose her?
Not that she wanted him to choose her.They were friends and nothing more.
Flustered, she looked away.What was happening to her?A man showed her a small amount of attention and already her imagination was spinning all manner of fairy-tale endings.
Ashford’s voice broke into her thoughts.“I was hoping to engage your assistance with a matter that is plaguing me.”
Mary took a deep breath and looked up at him.It was almost impossible to forget that he held her so closely as they moved across the ballroom floor.They maintained a respectful distance, and his hands never wandered from their very proper positions on her upper back and hand.So why was she finding it so difficult to breathe?
“Something beyond shielding you from dancing with someone who possesses a great deal of beauty?”
She’d aimed for levity with her words, but she must have missed her mark because his eyes widened with surprise.“You must know that you’ve just described yourself?”
She shook her head.She knew she wasn’t beautiful, but now wasn’t the time for that argument.“You wanted to ask me something?”
His lips pressed together.“My mother is intent on seeing me engaged to be married by the end of the season.My sister has let me know that Mother intends to do everything in her power to see that happens.In an attempt to help, Jane has offered to assist in finding me a bride.”
Mary winced.“So they’ve joined forces against you.”
“Exactly.My mother has taken the liberty of accepting all manner of invitations on my behalf, and I fear what she’ll do if I cross her.Jane has me convinced our mother would actually post a betrothal announcement to a woman of her own choosing in the newspapers.I’ve resigned myself to doing what I can to keep her from even thinking about something so drastic.”
Her eyes widened.“Would she really do that?”She could just imagine how she would feel if her sister did the same thing to her.Fortunately, Mary was of age and couldn’t be forced to wed.But while society accepted a woman breaking an engagement, a man couldn’t do the same.It would call into question his honor and sully the reputation of the woman.
“I’d like to think she wouldn’t, but I’ve been away for many years, and she’s changed in that time.Become more assertive.I have no idea what she’d resort to.But I have an idea that might keep her from employing such rash measures.”
When he didn’t continue, she raised a brow.“You can’t say all that and not tell me what it is.”
He spun her, executing a swift turn that had her curls bouncing and the fabric of her gown swirling about their legs.It was impossible to miss the fact that he was very muscular.She laughed up at him, amused.His smile was crooked, one corner of his mouth lifting up.His gaze was intense, and for a moment she feared he could see through to her very soul.
“Can you not guess?”
Her thoughts in turmoil, she could only shake her head in reply.Her normal wit seemed to have scattered to the wind, cast aside when he twirled her.
“I will need to court a woman of my own choosing.”
Her stomach dropped at his words, but she ignored the pang of disappointment.“Do I know this person?”
“Of course.In fact, I’m dancing with her right now.”
Somehow she kept her mouth from dropping open, but she couldn’t hold back the spark of pleasure his words ignited.She forced herself to speak evenly.“Surely you jest.You must know I am not angling for any such thing from you.”
His brows drew together for a moment.“We’ll leave aside the blow you just delivered to my ego.”
His look of exaggerated wounded pride had her laughing as he executed another smooth turn.
“The safest way to make it through this season is to convince my family I am seriously considering one particular woman.You, in fact.”
His words had the opposite effect on her than normal.At any other time, she’d delight in subverting the expectations of others, and it would amuse her that such a pretense would upset her sister.But for some reason, all she felt was disappointment because Ashford had just made it clear that he would never be interested in courting her.Not in earnest.
She glanced at the other waltzing couples, her gaze falling first on Amelia and her husband.It was clear to everyone that theirs was a love match.The way they looked at one another, their bodies just a fraction too close as they moved, showcased their feelings to anyone who watched.
The other couples ranged from young men and women who clearly hadn’t been buffeted about by the harsh realities of the world to those poor girls who’d been paired with much older men.Some did an admirable job of hiding their displeasure at the knowledge they were destined for a practical, loveless marriage.Some didn’t care.Edwina had been one of those young women, content at securing a match that would ensure she had a comfortable future.And if she only tolerated her husband’s presence, at least she was one of the lucky few who had married well.Baron Fairbanks was neither young nor handsome, but at least he was a good man who put up with his wife’s moods.
But Mary couldn’t help feeling sorry for the young women who couldn’t hide their displeasure… Or even worse, the ones who looked as though they were terrified of what their futures held.There was one young woman, clearly in her first season, who was as delicate and beautiful as a newly bloomed rose.She was waltzing with a gentleman old enough to be her grandfather, and from the look on his face as he gazed down at her, it was very likely he’d already secured her hand.Mary had to look away from the misery on the girl’s face.
When she met Ashford’s gaze again, the tense line of his jaw told her he was worried she would deny him.“Are you sure you’re willing to engage in such a deception, and with me?Wouldn’t your family rather see you with someone younger?”
